Biting OUCHA

Well a lil update on bruno, well after 2 days of him being really quiet and sleepy he has now started going nutty and sinking his teeth into us, he has drawn blood even, if i never knew this was typical puppy behaviour i would of thought he was aggressive but i have read alot about staffy pups since i have had him, i do the OUCH loud and Arrrrrr when he bites and i stop playing with him for 60 seconds, it seems to be working ok but i know rome was not built in a day....

The only problem is my b.f has took this to heart as hes the one that gets the most bitten, which i think is down to not doing the training correct, i went for a kip earlier and i heard my b.f getting angry, bruno would not stop biting him so i came down in the end and the pup was going wild, i know he will have a mad outburst for at least an hour a day so i will continue to play with him and when he bites yelp and ignore....fingers crossed this won't take long!

Apart from that he is sound so far.

Really important that OH does the same training as you

I know, he knows what to do but i think i will have to drum it in further, there is no point getting angry with him i know! we will have playtime soon.....thanks.

It just takes time, patience and consistancy and he will learn. It's a rough phase to get through though since those little teeth really hurt

Thats right, i think my partner was tired actually, hes not used to having a young un in his house, we will get there

You are correct Shaz, Rome was not built in a day. Sounds like you are doing the right thing with the yelps when his puppy teeth sink in - remember to turn your back and ignore him for a bit - no more playing until he calms down.

PLEASE try to get your OH to understand that Bruno is still a baby and will play rough like he would with his litter mates, and try to persuade him to do the high-pitched yelp and ignoring the pup when he bites. The bites are NOT aggressive at this age, Bruno is playing. And shouting at him won't help - to Bruno it's like barking at him and may excite him further.

Oh, and does your OH "rough-house" with the pup? Men WILL do this, and then get surprised if the pup gets over-excited. Just a thought.

I have told my b.f over and over do do high pitched yelps but he can't seem to do them without sounding gruff and aggressive, it may be an ego thing doh i think he is taking it to personal as if the pup don't love him, i will get him to understand for bruno. infact i will show him the article on this website about biting.

No, he does not play rough with him as i read that it could make him bite more so he is doing something right there.

Thank you.

Message to Shaz's OH - Bruno DOES love you. He's a baby, and right now he loves EVERYBODY. The time will come very soon when he loves you and Shaz more than anyone else but for now he will want to play with everyone, including you. And puppies play with their teeth and mouths - they are exploring their world and are NOT being aggressive so please DON'T "bark" at Bruno; a "squeak" if his teeth are a bit too strong and ignoring him for a bit until he has calmed down will teach him what is acceptable and what is not ( his brothers and sisters when he was in the litter, and espescially him Mum will have taught him this).

He WILL grow up in time and learn not to nip even in play; enjoy your puppy, it doesn;t last long.

Tell your boyfriend that when Loki was a lot younger, he'd bite me the most. He'd rag my limbs around like they were toys, he'd make me bleed, he'd go wild every time he saw me, etc. I got upset a lot because I'd never had a puppy before and I was scared it wasn't working. Fast forward lots of training (the training you're doing now, the yelping and ignoring) and Loki doesn't bite anymore. And I'm the one he's bonded to the most

It'll take a while, but just keep telling your boyfriend that the best method is the one you're using. Getting angry just confuses a puppy because they don't understand why you're angry since they're just playing.

My b.f has started the yelp in a high pitched voice though it does not come naturally lol we are still doing the method of yelp and ignore and it's going ok so far though hes still insane when ppl visit...thanks for all the advice and we will be consistant.

If the yelping doesn't work (it doesn't always - made my boy more excitable!) then just give a firm "no" & ignore - no interraction at all, don't even look at him! Once he's calm your oh can give calm praise.

Thats what we are doing, it's working slowly, can't moan as we have only had him a week today

I've experienced that with Marley. She would only growl and bark at me and I was taking it personally until my husband told me that it is all playful. I've started to play with her more and also give her a firm No when she does bite and when she stops I give her praise. I can tell you that it takes time but it will eventually get better.

Ahhh, I remember the arguements well with my other half... it put a real strain on our relationship for the first month or so. I used 20 second time outs. As soon as he did something wrong, 20 seconds in another room and then let him back in.

It has caused a few arguments as were not on the same page, he takes it personal and I proberly would if I never done my research, he needs to play more with Bruno mostly and understand he is only doing what puppies do naturally, I think Bruno thinks my b.f is his plaything that's why he is biting him more, we just need to be consistent as advice x

Just a thought - if your b.f. plays "rough" with the puppy (and oh how men will - I think it's how they get their cuddles without seeming soppy) then the pup will play "rough" and that invariably means teeth, although the pup does NOT mean to hurt him.
Good luck with the men in your family!

No, he does not play rough with Bruno as he has not played with him as yet, he's only cuddled him, I have told him he has to play with Bruno as that will help Bruno learn biting is not allowed and there will be no rough play. Thanks x

Could be that the nipping Bruno does is asking your b.f. to play with him? Does Bruno do "play bows" to him as well?

Chucking things about for Bruno to retrieve and bring back and chuck it again etc etc would be good play for the two of them and establish a bond (a half-squashed plastic drinks bottle is great for this!)

Play bows? Is that when the dogs bum is in the air and his front paws are on the ground? If not forgive me, can't recall play bows.

I will get my b.f to play with Bruno, well I will nag him even lol.

Thanks x

Play bows - yes; the front legs and body are along the ground as if lying down, but the bum is high in the air and tail wagging, dog's face is eager - it's very cute. Play with me! They do it with dogs too.

Oh, b.f., chuck some toys about for Bruno to bring back to you, again and again - great fun!

Actually Bruno has not done that yet to be honest, it's more him leaping up and trying to bite or snapping, he likes ears and noses mostly lol

I will show him this thread when he wakes up as I know it's essential they play together, if myb.f had his way all they would do is cuddle but as bruBruno has become more active he wants to play also x

Oh OK, play bows will probably come later - how old is Bruno now?

Leaping up is absolutely normal and the "biting or snapping" is too, for puppies. It's NOT vicious. If your b.f. is brave enough and doesn't flinch away, then the "snaps at" will more than likely turn immediately into a "staffy snog". (licky licky until you can hardly breathe). Same with ears - pups love the smell of our ears!

Cuddles are great and long may they continue, but pups need to play too.

Let us know how it goes .....

Bruno is just over 12 weeks I think.

Well, playtime was a disaster, he still needs lots of time and patience, the yelp and ignore never worked this time but give it time and pray that it will soon, the dog hasalot of potential so fingers crossed, in no way has he been rewarded for his behaviour but treats to train work better.

Really does sound as if he is trying to iniate play with your OH. Sometimes all they want is a little bit. Tug of war is an excellent game and tires them out quick.

I know some people will say that's rough play and that the person always has to win. I think it's great for them as long as you end the game on your terms.

I agree. Never had problems letting the dog win as long as you start and finish the playing. TBH it's good pratice letting them win sometimes for when they are older and head butt you clean out, you can pretend you let them do that

As already said, they are very frustrating at that age, and most are snapping/nipping/biting at anything or anyone that they fancy at the time ... it is hard not to lose your rag after you've been chomped on a few times .. it bloody hurts ... but losin it really is the worst thing you can do!! ... a staffy pup wont always understand, or interprit your reaction to a bite as "the wrong thing to do" .. sometimes just "Oooo, thats gets a fun reaction" and continue to do it with more vigour

They absolutley hate to be shunned or ignored .. so that is a brilliant tool .. I had to stand up and turn my back on Max, or pick him up and put him in another room for 5min when he got too nippy, as the other methods made him more excited (which you really dont want in another month or two beleive me )

Training can continue for the next 18mths or so in various ways, but for the first couple of months its important to make them understand whats acceptable and whats not .. they will still be naughty and try it on of course, but they will remember certain things like nipping = being shut next door with no attention !! etc.

Stick with it .. it WILL change soon

OK cheers, were going to try again at his mad hours, when he is the most hyper.